Swahili Language Bridges Communication Gap for Refugee Education in Turkana County
Turkana County, 18 March 2026
Academic research reveals Swahili serves as the crucial bridge language enabling adult literacy programmes in Turkana County’s refugee camps, where diverse communities struggle with English instruction. The study found teachers must rely on Swahili to help students understand lessons, as English proves too difficult for most adult learners in Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps.
Language Barriers Create Educational Challenges
The recent academic study published in the East African Journal of Social Sciences examined adult education programmes in Turkana County, revealing significant language comprehension difficulties among learners [1]. Research findings demonstrate that adult learners in Turkana County struggle to understand English, which serves as the primary medium of instruction for all subjects except Swahili [1]. This language barrier forces teachers to adapt their instructional methods, frequently switching to Swahili during classroom sessions to facilitate student understanding of lesson content [1]. The study utilised Vygotsky’s Cultural Theory to analyse data collected through fieldwork interviews and observations, providing insights into how language choices impact educational outcomes in multilingual refugee settings [1].
Practical Applications in Refugee Camp Settings
The importance of multilingual communication extends beyond formal education into practical humanitarian work within Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps. Save the Children, which has maintained operations in Kenya since the 1950s, currently operates in multiple locations including Kakuma Refugee Camp with approximately 230 staff members [2]. For positions such as Project Assistant roles supporting psychosocial activities and counselling services for children in distress, organisations require fluency in English, Kiswahili, and local languages spoken in the camps and host communities [2]. Similarly, Peace Winds Japan, which launched its Kenya mission in 2012, seeks Assistant WASH Engineers for Kakuma Refugee Camp positions beginning in April 2026, with applications due by 25 March 2026 [3]. These roles specifically require fluency in English and native or advanced Kiswahili proficiency, whilst knowledge of local dialects such as Turkana provides additional advantages [3].
Community Integration Through Language
Real-world examples demonstrate how Swahili facilitates communication between diverse populations in Turkana County. Apuu Mourine, who serves as the NARA coordinator in Kakuma, exemplifies successful multilingual communication by stating she can communicate with local farmers “in my language into Canada language and also in Swahili” [4]. This linguistic flexibility proves essential for collaborative projects involving both refugee and host communities, such as the biochar initiative by NARA Climate & Criou with Planboo in Turkana County [4]. These projects, funded through carbon credit finance mechanisms, focus on soil improvement, land restoration, food security, and human livelihoods, requiring clear communication across different languages and cultures within refugee camps and surrounding areas [4].
Educational Policy Implications
The study’s findings suggest that improving adult education standards in Turkana County requires recognition of Swahili’s bridging role between English instruction and local language comprehension [1]. This research contributes to broader academic discourse on translanguaging in multilingual educational contexts, building upon recent scholarship including E.E. Lokidor’s 2025 doctoral thesis on translanguaging practices in Kakuma Refugee Camp schools [1]. The implications extend beyond immediate educational outcomes, as enhanced Swahili proficiency enables refugees to access essential services, employment opportunities, and further education within Kenya’s predominantly Swahili-speaking environment [GPT]. The study indicates that acknowledging and incorporating Swahili as a legitimate instructional tool could significantly reduce adult illiteracy rates amongst Kenya’s diverse refugee population [1].